October 7 gov't seeks to take control of IDF, not conquer Gaza nor overthrow Hamas

 The assault on the chief of staff and the IDF by the machine of poison is not coincidental. It indicates that the true goal of the October 7 government is not the conquest of Gaza and the overthrow of Hamas, but rather an attempt to take control of the IDF.

As someone who has previously served as defense minister, I am well aware of the importance of the relationship between the political and military echelons. During my tenure, even when professional disagreements arose, we made sure to keep them within the discussion rooms, out of national responsibility, and to maintain dignity and mutual respect.

This is how leadership that understands its role operates. Not through public attacks that weaken the army, harm public trust, and jeopardize national security.

Talks of "close oversight" are a smokescreen. Behind the headlines is an attempt to introduce personal loyalty considerations into the IDF, over professionalism, values, and capability.

Yes, the army failed on October 7. We all expect a thorough and courageous review to be conducted by a state commission of inquiry, but the primary responsibility lies with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu is the one who nurtured Hamas as a counterbalance to the Palestinian Authority since 2009. He is the one who released Yahya Sinwar and 1,026 other terrorists. He is the one who prevented the conquest of Gaza in 2014 – a move that could have toppled Hamas, as he boasted in his book on Operation Protective Edge, contrary to my opinion.

Prevention of targeted killings of Hamas leadership

During my time as defense minister, time and again, Netanyahu prevented targeted assassinations of Hamas leaders.

He is also the one who invented the "money for quiet" concept, which essentially became protection money. Through money transferred from Qatar, Hamas became a fortified and organized entity. Netanyahu declared this concept in a Cabinet meeting on November 13, 2018, under the title "Policy of Regulation," which he presented to the Cabinet. The following day, I resigned and warned with all my might about the danger posed by Hamas.

Since the massacre, Netanyahu replaced the "money for quiet" concept with an equally dangerous concept – "governance before security." Therefore, every well-timed attack is clear in its purpose: to bring about the resignation of the chief of staff. We would not be surprised if the head of the National Security Council, Tzachi Hanegbi, is also "fired" soon, simply for daring to disagree with the prime minister's stance in the cabinet meeting.

I hope that Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, the last reasonable voice around the cabinet table, fully understands the magnitude of the move being plotted against him.

He must continue to stand by his principles, not for himself, but for the IDF and the security of the State of Israel.